Patents Assigned to Ballard Power Systems
  • Patent number: 6577026
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for supplying electrical energy to a power supply has a fuel cell and an accumulator arrangement. Electrical energy is delivered by the accumulator arrangement during the starting procedure, and is fed into the power supply by the accumulator arrangement via at least one DC/DC converter during starting of the circuit arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Peter Faller, Axel Jansen, Andreas Schell, Josef Sonntag
  • Patent number: 6576361
    Abstract: Access openings in a fuel cell assembly are isolated from their surroundings by use of a closure member that is actuated by the pressure in a fluid stream within the fuel cell assembly. An isolating apparatus prevents undesirable water loss or gain in certain fuel cell types and protects the fuel cell assembly from contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Russell H. Barton
  • Publication number: 20030104260
    Abstract: A receptacle having an end cap, a pliable sidewall, and a fastener, for receiving and retaining a fuel cell stack in its stacked configuration during fabrication of a multi-stack fuel cell assembly, is shown and described. Methods of fabricating the assembly include stacking the fuel cell in the receptacle, compressing the fuel cell, and engaging the fastener to retain the stack in its stacked configuration and, or to retain the stack under at least partial compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Edward Hill, Ross William Johnston Bailey, Rae Hartwell, Uwe Pfister
  • Patent number: 6571897
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction unit capable of delivering mechanical power for driving the vehicle; electric loads; and a fuel cell system for supplying the electric loads with electric power. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack with an anode input line, an anode exhaust line, a cathode input line, and an cathode exhaust line. A compression/expansion loop is employed in the cathode exhaust line. The expansion side of the compression/expansion loop is in thermal contact with the cathode exhaust to cool the cathode exhaust and to transfer the heat of the exhaust to the compression side of the compression/expansion loop at a higher temperature level. A water separator is arranged in the cathode exhaust line for collecting water vapor of product water that is carried in the cathode exhaust and is recycled to the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignees: Ballard Power Systems AG, Ballard Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob Baumert, Craig Greenhill, Henry H. Voss, Brian Wells
  • Patent number: 6572416
    Abstract: A three-phase connector carries all three phases in one connector and keeps the phases properly isolated from each other and the motor case. The three-phase connector has metal connector components that are spaced from one another and supported in a nylon over molding covering each of the connector components, except for upper and lower exposed ends of the connector components, which are each drilled and tapped to receive bolts. First and second connector components extend above and below a flange of the three-phase connector with their respective exposed upper and lower ends offset in different planes than the exposed upper and lower ends of the third connector component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Ajay V Patwardhan, John Franklin
  • Patent number: 6572837
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a hydrocarbon fuel comprises: a primary fuel processing reactor for converting a feed stream to a first reformate stream comprising hydrogen; a first hydrogen separator located downstream of the primary fuel processing reactor and fluidly connected thereto for receiving the first reformate stream, the first separator comprising a first membrane for separating the first reformate stream into a first hydrogen-rich stream and a first retentate stream; and a secondary fuel processing reactor fluidly connected to the first separator for receiving and converting the first retentate stream to a second reformate stream comprising hydrogen. A fuel cell power generation system includes the present apparatus and a fuel cell stack fluidly connected thereto for receiving hydrogen-rich streams therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Holland, Gary Schubak, Mark Bradley, Kevin O'Connor, Brant Peppley
  • Patent number: 6573682
    Abstract: A fuel cell system determines each of a battery charging current error, a battery voltage error, and a stack current error. The fuel cell system regulates current through a series pass element in response to a greater of the determined errors, operating in three modes: battery voltage limiting mode, stack current limiting mode and battery charging current limiting mode. Additionally, there can be a fourth “saturation” mode where the stack voltage VS drops below the battery voltage VB. A voltage difference across the series pass element is compared to a desired condition such as a saturation level, and a partial pressure of a reactant flow to the fuel cell stack adjusted based on the determined amount of deviation limiting the energy dissipated by the series pass element. Individual fuel cell systems can be combined in series and/or parallel to produce a combined fuel cell system having a desired output voltage and current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Martin T. Pearson
  • Publication number: 20030091874
    Abstract: A fuel cell system and method for operating a fuel cell system have a water separator for extracting water contained in a fuel cell exhaust stream. The method comprises varying the pressure of the fuel cell exhaust stream in response to a change in ambient temperature in the vicinity of the fuel cell system. The pressure can be varied by the use of a flow control device positioned downstream of the fuel cell and operationally linked to an ambient temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventor: Uwe Griesmeier
  • Patent number: 6559551
    Abstract: A starter device, preferably for cold-starting, for fuel cell systems, including a current generation system, for generating electrical energy, and a gas generation system, for generating H2-rich gas for the current generation system. An internal-combustion engine generates mechanical energy, which can be connected to an air compressor for supplying air to the gas generation system via a drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Klaus Graage, Detlef Zur Megede
  • Publication number: 20030082428
    Abstract: A fuel cell system, which may include a fuel processing subsystem for converting hydrocarbons into a hydrogen-rich gas, is designed so that at least some of the components of the fuel cell system are contained inside at least one housing. The housing contains a recombiner to convert hydrogen and oxygen into water. The housing may also contain a temperature sensor in the vicinity of the recombiner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Stefan Boneberg, Bernd Monzel, Thomas Stark
  • Publication number: 20030082432
    Abstract: In an improved electrochemical fuel cell assembly, a reactant flow path extends substantially linearly across the electrochemically active area of an electrode. The electrode has an in-plane nonuniform structure in its electrochemically active area as the active area is traversed in the direction of the substantially linear reactant flow path. Embodiments in which the structure of the fuel cell electrode varies substantially symmetrically along the reactant flow path are particularly preferred in fuel cells in which the flow direction of a reactant is periodically reversed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Wilkinson, Peter R. Gibb
  • Patent number: 6555989
    Abstract: A power generating system which comprises a fuel cell and a rechargeable storage battery coupled together via a DC-DC converter. A reactant for the fuel cell is obtained by processing a suitable raw material. The processor is controlled on the basis of the current demanded by the external load and by the storage battery, and the fuel cell current drawn by the DC-DC converter is controlled on the basis of the amount of reactant available from the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Martin T. Pearson
  • Patent number: 6555260
    Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stack between two end plates. An electrical load is connected to the fuel cell stack via a load circuit, and a diode is arranged between the fuel cell stack and the electrical load in the load circuit. According to the invention, the diode is arranged directly on or in one of the end plates. Moreover, a cooling device, which is in thermal contact with the diode and dissipates the power loss from the diode, is provided in the region of the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Markus Aberle, Anton Sonntag, Josef Sonntag
  • Publication number: 20030077494
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for operating a fuel cell system. The method and apparatus can provide electrical power to a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle comprising a fuel cell, an electrical propulsion unit that is powered at least partially by the fuel cell, and a compressor to provide oxidant for the fuel cell. A target power demand may be determined based on an accelerator pedal demand. The power difference between the target power demand and the instantaneous power that is available from the fuel cell is compensated by power originating from an electrical energy storage device. Immediately after an increase in accelerator pedal demand, the electrical energy storage device first provides electrical power to drive the oxidant compressor, until a certain increase in the power available from the fuel cell has been detected. Once such an increase has been detected, the electrical energy storage device provides power to the electrical propulsion unit, such as a traction motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Markus Aberle, Joachim Blum
  • Publication number: 20030077501
    Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell having reactant flow passages with a non-uniform design to increase reactant access to an adjacent fluid distribution layer at the outlet region as compared to the inlet region. In an embodiment, at least one reactant flow passage is narrower at the inlet than at the outlet, with a substantially constant cross-sectional area maintained along its length. Coolant channels may optionally be incorporated in the fluid flow plate to provide increased cooling at the reactant inlet. The plates may vary in thickness and run in counter-flow to improve efficient stacking of the fuel cells in a fuel cell stack with reactant passages of varying depth. In another embodiment, electrically conductive, masking foil covers a portion of at least one reactant flow passage in the inlet region, but does not extend the length of the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Shanna Denine Knights, David Pentreath Wilkinson
  • Publication number: 20030076110
    Abstract: A fuel cell resistance test system includes a contact head having a plurality of spaced electrical contacts for contacting multiple ones of the fuel cells composing the stack. In one embodiment, a plurality of selectively actuable switches produce a short between respective pairs of adjacent ones of the electrical contacts. A processor opens each of the switches, one at a time in succession, to apply a defined voltage from a voltage source, successively across pairs of adjacent ones of the electrical contacts. A current sensor measures a resulting current and the processor or other computer determines whether a short exists based on the magnitude of the defined voltage and the magnitude of the resulting current. Alternatively, the test system may include a current source and a voltage sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaoyu Wang, Ross W. Johnston Bailey, Graham E. Hill, Hong The Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20030078308
    Abstract: Ion-exchange materials comprising a polymeric backbone and a plurality of pendent styrenic or fluorinated styrenic macromonomers covalently bonded thereto, wherein the plurality of pendent styrenic or fluorinated styrenic macromonomers comprise a uniform number of styrenic or fluorinated styrenic monomer repeat units, and wherein predominantly all of the styrenic or fluorinated styrenic monomer repeat units have at least one charged group. Processes for making such materials, as well as products related thereto, are also disclosed. In a representative embodiment, the ion-exchange material is utilized as a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) for use in a PEM fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Holdcroft, Jianfu Ding, Carmen Chuy, Charles Stone, Anne E. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20030072979
    Abstract: A method useful during the assembly of fuel cell stacks having resilient seals and/or MEAs is provided. The method comprises heating fuel cells of a fuel cell stack, and applying a compressive force to the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Edward Hill, Paul F. Meharg
  • Patent number: 6548931
    Abstract: A rotor 33, 133 for use in an electrical machine 100 having permanent magnets 34, 134 included therein, each permanent magnet 34, 134 between an adjacent pair of poles 32, 132, wherein each adjacent pole 32, 132 has an opposite polarity. Each permanent magnet 34, 134 has a magnetization polarity on its radially-outward surface 38, 138, and each adjacent permanent magnet 34, 134 has the opposite polarity on its radially-outward surface 38, 138. In addition, each pair of permanent magnets 34, 134 have the same magnetic polarity on their adjacently facing surfaces. This arrangement of permanent magnets 34, 134 may be used on electrical machines 100 having either a Lundell-type rotor 33 or salient pole rotor 133. The arrangement of permanent magnets 34, 134 increases the output power and efficiency of the electrical machine 100 while decreasing magnetic noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Feng Liang, John Michael Miller, Xingyi Xu
  • Patent number: 6548202
    Abstract: Carbon-supported catalysts are frequently employed in the electrodes of solid polymer fuel cells in order to make efficient use of the catalyst therein. The catalyst utilization in the electrode and the fuel cell performance can be further improved by introducing acidic surface oxide groups on the carbon-supported catalyst. The introduction of acidic surface oxide groups on the carbon-supported catalyst can be accomplished by treating the carbon-supported catalyst with a suitable acid, such as nitric acid, before incorporating the carbon-supported catalyst in a fuel cell electrode. The present technique is particularly suitable for use in solid polymer fuel cell cathodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power System, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Campbell, Jason Edward Chisham, David P. Wilkinson